Overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus



Nov. 19, 1957 M. M. WALDROP 2,813,308

OVERARM FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed July 11, 1955 3 SheetsSheet 1 .3I 7 15 I Z;

INVEN TOR,

a; 7/ Morris M' Waldrop I! v na /1 l f'fornegs Nov. 19,, 1957 WALDRQP 2,813,308

OVERARM FOR FIBER ATTENUATINGAPPARATUS Filed July 11', 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i INVENTOR. Mqrr'ls M. Waldrop A ++orneys M. M. WALDROP OVERARM FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Nov. 19, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 11, 1955 United States Patent UVERARM FOR FIBER ATTENUATIN G APPARATUS Morris M. Waidrop, Columbus, Ga., assignor to Medley Manufacturing Company, Inc., a corporation of Georgia Application July 11, 1955, Serial No. 521,094

16 Claims. (Cl. 19-135) This invention relates to an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus and has for an object the provision of improved means for applying pressure to the top rolls.

Another object of my invention isto provide means for mounting a spring weighted overarm on fiber attenuating apparatus in such a manner that correct alignment of the bottom and top rolls is assured.

Another object of my invention is to provide an overarm of the character designated which shall include means for adjusting its position relative to the supporting means therefor whereby true initial calibration of the weighting unit relative to the drafting unit can be obtained.

A further object of my invention is to provide automatic release means for the overarm which is effective to release the overarm for movement to inoperative position when a predetermined pressure is appliedagainst the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide an overarm of the character designated which shall include improved spacer means for the nose bar which may be readily exchanged when required A still further object of my invention is-to provide an overarm of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which is particularly adapted for use onconventional type roll stands without material alterations in the same;

Briefly my improved overarm comprises a supporting bracket mounted for transverse movement along the supporting frame. Pivotally connected to the supporting bracket is an elongated housing which is adapted for movement in a vertical plane. A longitudinally extending actuating member is mounted inthe housing and is urged toward the forward or free end of the housing by means of a compression spring. Pivotally connectedto the housing and operatively connected to the forward end of the actuating member is a second bracket. Pivotally connected-to the second bracket forwardly of the bracket pivot point is the saddle assembly for the top rolls which is urged toward the top rolls in response to the pressure exerted by the compression spring. A toggle linkage connects the supporting bracket to the housing and is positioned whereby upon rearward movement of the actuating member, the toggle linkage is released thereby releasingthe overarm. Improved spacer members are provided for maintaininga fixed'distance between the upper and lower nose bars.

Apparatus embodyingfeatures of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view taken generally along the line II of Fig. 2, the clearer roll a'ssemblybeing omitted for the sake of clarity and the toggle artn beingibroken' away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line- IIII of Fig' 1, the adjusting nut and a portion of the saddle actuating mechanism being shown in full lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view, partly. broken away and in: section, showing the toggle linkage in released position;

Fig. 4 is an end view showing the toggle linkage and toggle arm and taken generally along the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, the U-shaped clip member being omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental view showing the means for holding the overarm in operative position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental side elevational view of the forward end of the overarm, showing the means for adjusting the amount of force exerted by the compression spring;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the upper nose bar, showing the supporting means therefor and the means for spacing the same from the lower nose bar;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view taken generally along the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along the line IXIX of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along the line X--X of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 11 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along line XI--XI of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a fragment 10 of a supporting frame, such as a conventional type roll stand. Extending transversely of the supporting frame is a horizontal bar 11 which fits in the slots normally employed to carry the neb bars. Suitable adjusting screws 12 are provided adjacent each end of the bar for aligning the bar parallel with the plane of the drafting zone. After the bar 11 has been properly aligned, the screws 12 are secured in place whereby the ends of the bar 11 are raised against the upper surface of the slots, thus holding the bar in a fixed plane.

Mounting for sliding movement on the bar 11 is a supporting bracket 13 having a transverse groove 14 therein for receiving the bar 11. Pivotally connected to the bracket 13 by means of a pivot pin 16 is an elongated housing 17 which is of substantially inverted Usha"pe, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Mounted at the forward end of the housing 17 is the usual clearer guide 18 for supporting a clearer roll 19.

Connecting the rear end of thehousing 17 to the bracket 13 is a toggle linkage indicated generally at. 21 the toggle linkage comprising an operating arm 22 pivotally connected at one end to the bracket 13 by means of a pin 23. Pivotally connected to the arm 22 intermediate its ends by means of a pin 24 are the ends of links 26 and 27. The other end of the links 26 and 27 are pivotally connected to a bushing 28 by means of short pivot pins 29. In threaded engagement with the bushing 28 is one end of a bolt 31 which passes through a suitable opening in the housing 17, as shown in Figs. 24. The bolt 31 is held in selected positions relative to the housing 17 by means of lock nuts 32 and 33. Secured to the bushing 28, as

shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in a U-shaped clip member 34 which is moved rearwardly to release the toggle linkage, in a manner to de described hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 2, one leg of the clip member 34 is provided with an opening 35 for receiving the bolt 31.

Extending longitudinally within the housing 17 is a rod-- like actuating member 36 which is threaded at its forward end as at 37 for receiving a nut 38. A portion of the housing 17 is cut away adjacent the rear end of the rodlike member 36 and is bent at right angles to the sides of the housing to provide a transverse support 39 for the rod like member. A suitable opening is provided in the transverse support 39 for slidably receiving the member 36. Surrounding the rod-like member 36 is a compression spring 41. The forward end of the spring 41 engages the nut 38 and the rear end thereof engages the support member 39 thereby urging the rod like member 36 toward the forward or free end of the housing 17.

Pivotally connected to the walls of the housing 17 adjacent the forward end of the rod-like member 36 by means of a pin 42 is a second bracket 43 having a notch 44 in one side thereof for receiving a laterally projecting pin 46 which is secured to a collar 45 mounted for rotation on a reduced portion of the rod like member 36. The collar 45 is held against axial movement along the reduced portion in one direction by its engagement with the shoulder formed by the reduced portion and in the other direction by the engagement of pin 46 with notch 44 whereby it moves axially with the roddike member. That is, the collar 45 is rotatable upon the reduced portion of rod-like member 36 and abuts against the adjacent edge of the large diametered portion of rod 36, as shown in Fig. 9, whereby forward axial movement of the rod .36 relative to the collar 45 is limited. Spring 41 bears against the nut 38 whereby the rod-like member 36, the collar 45 and attached pin 46 are urged toward the notch 44. Pivot-- ally connected to the bracket 43 forwardly of the pin 42 by means of a pin 47 is a forward saddle member 43 for supporting the front line top roll indicated at 49. Pivotaily connected to the saddle member 48 by means of a pivot pin 51 is a rear saddle member 52 for the rear and middle line top rolls 53 and 54, respectively. This construction allows the rear and middle line top rolls '3 and 54 to find a position in alignment with the bottom rolls, indicated generally at 56, with a predetermined proportion of the weight on each roll. The weight for all three top rolls is thus applied through pin 47. The bracket 43 thus pivots about pin 42 to provide a substantially bell-crank lever with one arm connected to the pin 47 and the other end thereof operatively connected to the pin 46 whereby the saddles move at an angle of approximately 90 to the direction of movement of the rod-like member 36.

The nut 38 is provided with laterally projecting members 57 on each side thereof which extend through longitudinally extending openings 58 provided in the side walls of the housing 17, whereby upon rotating the rod-like member 36 it rotates relative to nut 38, thus effecting movement of the nut along the rod-like member. Indicia 59 is provided alongside one of the openings 53 and an index mark 61 is provided on the nut 38 so that the weight on each overarm may be equally adjusted by matching the index marks 61 with a corresponding mark alongside the opening 58. Pin 46 also has an index mark 62 thereon which is disposed to match an index mark 63 alongside the opening 53 when the assembly is correctly adjusted for operation. This is accomplished by adjusting the screw 31 which pivots the entire supporting housing 17 about pivot pin 16. The overarm can thus be adjusted whereby whenever a lap up of a predetermined thickness occurs on any of the top rolls, the bracket 43 moves about its pivot pin 42 forcing the rod like member 36 rearward against the clip member 34, thus releasing the toggle linkage, as shown in Fig. 3. That is, the toggle linkage is moved rearward past the center position whereby the complete overarm assembly is free to pivot up to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, thus relieving all pressure on the rolls.

To hold the overarm in the raised or inoperative position, I provide aligned openings 64 and 66 in the sides of the housing 17 adjacent the bracket 13, as shown in Fig. 5. The bracket 13 is provided with a transverse opening 67 therethrough in alignment with the opening 64 and 66. Mounted in the opening 67 are balls 68 and 69 which are urged away from each other and toward the opening 64 and 66 by means of a compression spring 71. As shown in the drawing, the openings 64 and 66 are smaller than the balls 68 and 69 whereby the balls pass only partially into the openings. The pressure applied by the spring 71 thus holds the balls in the openings thereby retaining the overarm in the raised or inoperative position. To lower the overarm, suflicient pressure is applied to overcome the holding pressure of the balls. The overarm assembly is locked in the down or operating position by pulling forward on the operating arm 22 of the toggle linkage until it locks, as shown in Fig. 2.

Top roll 54 is driven by an apron 72 which is guided by a nose bar 73 held in place by a clip 74. As shown in Fig. 2, the clip 74 fits around the journal of the roll 54 and weight applied to this roll through the saddle 52 is applied through clip 74. The pressure point on the clip 74 is forward of center whereby the applied pressure tends to rotate the clip in a direction to lower the nose bar 73. The nose bar 73 is thus forced down against the lower nose bar indicated at 76. A spacer member 77 is attached to the nose bar 73 by any suitable means, such as by a screw 78, and maintains a fixed distance between the upper and lower nose bars. The distance between nose bars 73 and 76 can thus be varied by inserting different size spacer members. Removable apron guides 79 are held in place on the nose bar 73 by the usual notches provided in the nose bar for receiving the apron guides.

From the foregoing description, the operation, of my improved overarm will be readily understood. The bar 11 is mounted on the roll stand whereby it supports the overarm assembly in alignment with the bottom rolls. The wide span of the saddles 48 and 52 assures proper align ment of the top rolls relative to the lower rolls, the saddles being guided by the close clearance on each side thereof with the sides of the supporting housing 17. The position of the nut 38 along the rod-like member 36 is adjusted by means of a suitable polygonal tool 81 which is disposed to fit in a polygonal socket provided in the end of the rodlike member 36. The force exerted by the spring may be increased by moving the nut 38 rearwardly or decreased by moving the nut 38 forwardly. Suitable openings are provided in the clearer guide 18 for passing the tool 81 as it is being inserted in the polygonal opening in the member 36. The index mark 62 on pin 46 is aligned with the index mark 63 by rotating the adjusting bolt 31 in the proper direction whereby the entire overarm housing 17 rotates about the pivot pin 16. That is, by turning the screw 31 in a direction to move outwardly of bushing 28 the forward or free end of the housing 17 moves downwardly toward the top rolls. Since the bracket 13 is anchored to the horizontal bar 11 and downward movement of the top rolls is limited, the downward movement of the free end of housing 17 causes a corresponding upward reactive force to be imparted by the saddle member 48. This reactive force rotates bracket 43 about its pivot pin 42 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, thus moving the pin 46 toward the spring 41. On the other hand, when the screw 31 is turned in the opposite direction whereby it moves inwardly of the bushing 28, the free end of the housing 17 is moved upwardly to release some of the pressure applied on the top rolls through the spring 41. With a decrease in the force imparted on the top rolls, there is a corresponding decrease in the upward reactive force imposed by the saddle member 48, whereby the spring 41 urges the nut 38 together with the roll-like member and the pin 46 downwardly toward the free end of housing 17. As the pin 46 moves downwardly, the bracket 43 moves in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 42. After the index marks 62 and 63 are aligned, the lock nuts 32 and 33 are turned to lock the bolt 31 in the adjusted position.

In the event a lap up occurs over a predetermined thickness, such as one-eighth inch thickness or more, the bracket 43 is rotated about its pivot point 42 in a direction to force the pin 46 and the rod-like member 36 rearwardly against the clip member 34. The clip member 34 then forces the toggle linkage to the inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the overarm is free to move to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. The overarm is thus raised to a point where the action of the balls 68 and 69 hold it in inoperative position. The overarm is returned to operating or down position by pushing down on the same with suflicient pressure to overcome the holding power of the balls 68 and 69. The overarm assembly is then locked in gist-3, 368

5 the down positionby'movingthe operating arm 22o'f the toggle linkage'forward until it locks, as shown in Fig. 2.

A spacer member 77 of the proper size issecured to the nose bar 73 by means of the screw 78'whereby the proper distance is provided between the upperfland lower nose bars.

From the foregoing, it will be seen thatI have devised an improved spring weighted overarm which may be mounted on conventional type roll stands with no material alterations in the roll stands. By providing means for adjusting the tension applied by the compression spring, the same tension may be applied to all' overarrns down the frame. Also, by providing means for adjusting the relative position of the overarm to the supporting frame, any non-uniformity between springs and other parts in relation with non-uniformity in location of bottom roll positions is compensated for and true initial calibration of the weighting unit to drafting unit down the frame is obtained. Als'o, b y providing a groove in the supporting bracket 13' for engaging the transverse bar 11, the entire overarm assembly is held in proper alignment with the bottom rolls. Also; by providing automatic release mechanism for the overarm which protects the apparatus against lap up's offiber," efficient operation of the mechanism is assured and' the life thereof is prolonged. Furthermore, by providing removable spacer members of difierent sizes which may be inserted between the upper and lower nose bars, the fixed space therebetween may be readily adjusted.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for transverse movement on the supporting frame, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, an actuating member extending longitudinally of said housing, saddle members operatively connected to the end of said actuating member nearest the free end of said housing, and means urging said actuating member toward said free end of the housing.

2. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for horizontal movement on the supporting frame, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, an elongated actuating member extending longitudinally of said housing, a second bracket pivotally connected to said housing adjacent the end of said actuating member nearest the free end of said housing, means operatively connecting said second bracket to said actuating member whereby said second bracket moves about its pivot point in response to longitudinal movement of said actuating member, saddle members connected to said second bracket and disposed to move in a vertical plane in response to pivotal movement of said second bracket, and means urging said actuating member toward the free end of said housing.

3. An overarm as defined in claim 2 in which the actuating member is a rod-like member and the means urging the same toward the free end of the housing comprises a compression spring interposed between said housing and the rod-like member.

4. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for horizontal movement on the supporting frame, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a toggle linkage between said bracket and the adjacent end of said housing holding said housing releasably in operative position, an elongated actuating member extending longitudinally of said housing with one end thereofengaging said toggle linkage whereby said toggle linkage is released when a predetermined pressure is exerted against the same by said actuating member, saddle members operatively connected to the other end of said actuating member, and spring means urging said actuating. member toward the free end of thehousing.

5. An overarm as defined in claim 4 in which the spring means comprises a compression spring which encircles the actuating member with one end of the spring engaging anabutmen-t on the actuating member and the other end thereof engaging an abutment on the housing adjacent the toggle linkage.

6. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a roll stand and a transverse support bar mounted thereon, a supporting bracket having a recess therein for receiving said bar with a sliding fit whereby saidbracket is adapted for horizontal movement along said bar, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a rod like member extending longitudinally within said housing, saddle members operatively connected to the end of said rod-like member nearest the free end of said housing, and spring means urging said rod-like member toward the free end of the housing.

7. An overarm as defined in claim 6 in which means is provided adjacent each end of the support bar for adjusting the same to a position substantially parallel to the plane of the drafting zone.

8. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for horizontal movement on the supporting frame, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a toggle linkage between said bracket and the adjacent end of said housing holding said housing releasably in operative position, adjustable means for varying the length of said toggle linkage whereby the position of said housing relative to said bracket can be varied, an elongated actuating member extending longitudinally within said housing with one end thereof engaging said linkage, saddle members operatively connected to the other end. of said actuating member and spring means urging said actuating member toward the free end of the housing.

9. An overarm as defined in claim 8 in which the means for varying the length of the toggle linkage comprises, a bolt in threaded engagement at one end with said toggle linkage, and lock nuts on said bolt connecting said bolt to the housing.

10. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for transverse movement on the supporting frame, an

elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a rodlike member extending longitudinally within said housing, saddle members operatively connected to the end of the rod-like member nearest the free end of said housing and disposed to move in a direction at an angle to the direction of movement of the rod-like member in response to longitudinal movement of Said r0d-like member, and a compression spring encircling said rod-like member with one end of the spring engaging an abutment on the rodlike member and the other end thereof engaging an abutment on the housing whereby the rod-like member is urged toward the free end of the housing.

11. An overarm as defined in claim 10 in which the saddle members move at an angle of approximately to the direction of movement of the rod like member.

12. In an overarm for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting frame, a supporting bracket mounted for transverse movement on the supporting frame, an elongated housing connected adjacent one end to said "7 bracket for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a rodlike member extending longitudinally of said housing, a second bracket pivotally connected to said housing adjacent the end of said rod-like member nearest the free end of said housing, means operatively connecting said second bracket to the rod-like member whereby said second bracket moves about its pivot point in response to longitudinal movement of said rod-like member, saddle members connected to said second bracket and disposed to move in a vertical plane in response to pivotal movement of said second bracket, and a compression spring surrounding the rod-like member with one end thereof engaging an adjustable abutment on the rod-like member and the other end engaging an abutment on the housing.

13. An overarm as defined in claim 12 in which the adjustable abutment is in the form of a nut in threaded engagement withtthe rod-like member, there being a longitudinally extending opening in said housing adjacent said nut, and indicia on said nut and on said housing adjacent the nut indicating the position of said nut relative to said housing.

14. An overarm as defined in claim 13 in which the nut is held against rotation and is adapted for longitudinal movement in the housing, there being a tool receiving socket in the end of the rod-like member for rotating the same relative to the nut.

15. In an overarm for fiber attenuation apparatus including a supporting frame and top rolls, a supporting circling the journal of one of said top rolls with the presv sure point thereof positioned forward of center whereby the pressure applied by said spring means tends to rotate the clip in a direction to lower said nose bar.

16. An overarm as defined in claim 15 in which removable spacer members are attached to the nose bar, whereby a fixed distance is provided between said nose bar and its associated lower nose bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,525,647 Burnham et a1 Oct. 10, 1950 2,675,587 Raible et a1. Apr. 20, 1954 2,688,162 Solanas Sept. 7, 1954 2,729,859 Noguera Ian. 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 730,041 Great Britain May 18, 1955 

